Sul Ross University Center renamed to honor Morgans

Tuesday

Jun 23, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Special to the Bulletin

ALPINE — Bangs native and Howard Payne University graduate Dr. Vic Morgan is retiring as president of Sul Ross State University, and the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System has passed resolutions renaming the Sul Ross State University Center in honor of Morgan and his wife, Mary Jane.

Morgan was will assume president emeritus status upon his Aug. 31 retirement.

The Vic and Mary Jane Morgan University Center has been named to recognize the contributions of Morgan, who has spent 34 years at Sul Ross, and his wife.

Morgan was named acting president in July 1989 and was selected as Sul Ross’ 10th president on Aug. 30, 1990. Morgan joined the Sul Ross faculty in 1975 as a mathematics professor, was named director of the Division of Science in 1979 and executive assistant to the president in 1985.

The resolution states, “Sul Ross State University President Dr. R. Vic Morgan has accomplished much more than longevity at the university; he has been a vital part of its growth and development for over three decades (two as president), contributing also in tangible and intangible ways to the Texas State University System, the City of Alpine, the Big Bend region and the State of Texas.

“The renaming of the University Center also recognizes the many contributions of Mrs. Morgan as the university’s ‘First Lady’ for her 34 years as a teacher of mathematics at Alpine High School, teaching many future Sul Ross students; and for her positive influence in the community where she was named ‘Citizen of the Year.’”

Morgan received a B.A. degree in mathematics from Howard Payne College in 1964; an M.A. in 1965 from Vanderbilt University; and a Ph.D. in 1969 from the University of Missouri. From 1969-75, he was an assistant professor of mathematics at Southern Methodist University. In 1999, he received an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Howard Payne.

During his tenure, Sul Ross has experienced extensive facilities and financial growth. The university’s endowment presently exceeds $13 million with more than 210 separate endowments. Recent construction projects exceed $80 million, including a new student center, Pete P. Gallego Multi-Purpose Center, residential housing complex, renovation and relocation of the Museum of the Big Bend, renovation of the Graves-Pierce Recreational Center, conversion of Ferguson Hall into an Academic Center for Excellence and expansion of the Wildenthal Library, Warnock Science Building, and Turner Range Animal Science Center.